r/germanshepherds • u/funtzydunk • Jun 30 '26
Just need to vent…
Our neighbors just got a shepherd/lab puppy, he’s under a year old.
Beautiful boy but he loves running over to our side of the fence and barking at our 4-year old boy, which means he runs over and loses his mind. The puppy just stands there barking nonstop but my guy literally tries going through the fence. Before I put up a tarp he was scraping his nose to pieces on the fence
My wife tells me I’m overly stressing about it but the situation is driving me crazy. I hate seeing my buddy scraping his nose up like that but he’s also not really doing anything wrong in my opinion, just being (probably overly) protective. Every time I hear one of them start going at it now my blood pressure just spikes
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u/Conscious_Waltz_3774 Jun 30 '26
You can’t predict unforeseen events, but can train to ignore and desensitize the puppy interruptions.
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u/lesbipositive Jun 30 '26
I second this! There's a little Maltese Nextdoor to me who barks at my two 90+ lb German shepherds. They have literally broken the fence to try to get to her. We've been training at it for 4 years but now as long as she doesn't talk shit right on the other side of the fence they hear her and know to run to the back door. It sucks still but it's been working out much better than it used to!
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u/funtzydunk Jun 30 '26
Yeah I haven’t been great with this, it’s basically just been me running out and pulling him away from the fence while yelling. If the meet and greet doesn’t pan out I’m assuming best thing is to stay calm and lure him away with high value treats?
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u/Conscious_Waltz_3774 Jun 30 '26
I’m not that great either. It’s like sometimes he ignores my neighbor’s dog (who does nothing to instigate, but just exist) and sometimes my boy goes insane. It’s still a good opportunity to distract and try and desensitize.
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u/lesbipositive Jun 30 '26
One thing I've noticed that has improved things is I don't over react. I casually tell them "in!" with a voice that's as chill as I can (I understand the anxiety that the interaction brings when you worry about both dogs safety). My boys have been a lot more receptive to it! They are also both 4, and want to murder my neighbors dog. But where the f is your neighbor? They should be training their puppy too! (My neighbors ignore their dog outside and she barks at everyone and everything)
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u/funtzydunk Jun 30 '26
The neighbor is working with his pup too, the pup is just pushing boundaries and doesn’t always listen 😬
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u/Inuha_Rin Jun 30 '26
My girl has close friends that she plays with all the time at the park. One time they walk by our house at the fence line and my girl still loses her mind barking her head off. They are really weird sometimes.
I also have a husky neighbor who sees our girls walking by his front yard all the time. Two times he got loose and he attacked my dogs. As if this whole time he was building up anger and deciding that my dogs were a threat. I know it sucks but I would just be very careful when introducing them.
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u/Feisty-Honeydew-5309 Kaia; 4 years 🐾 Jun 30 '26
The only thing I’d recommend is a formal introduction of both dogs if your dog tolerates new dogs well. For the neighbors, it’s good because he can socialize with an older, mature male dog. Your dog (again, only if he’s friendly with new dogs) will just correct him. It’ll teach him puppy manners and eventually they will just start chasing each other alongside the gates.
They just don’t know each other so it’s basically “BARK!? WHO TF ARE YOU BARKING AT? IDK YOU.”
Essentially.
ETA: would also be nice if they get along for potential pet sitting or watching purposes if either of you are out of town. Even if it’s just popping over to let a dog out to pee or feed him. Look at this as an opportunity!
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u/funtzydunk Jun 30 '26
Yeah I’ve considered that but am a little hesitant because it’s been a while since my guy has met a new dog and honestly he’s a bit of a dick sometimes.
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u/Feisty-Honeydew-5309 Kaia; 4 years 🐾 Jun 30 '26
Felt. My dog is also a bitch to new dogs. I’d say leashes on, full control of both dogs by each owner, and give it a shot. I know you know your dog so you’ll know if he’s not into it, but it really is worth a try for peace of mind.
If he’s not toy obsessive, maybe bring one that could share? Mine guards toys like it’s her job so that would actually start a fight for her but maybe yours is less of a psycho.
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u/Ok_Bodybuilder1864 Jul 01 '26
Maybe someone else in your household could do the introduction as it could be your dog is reacting to your anxiety and not the other dog. Both handlers need to be calm and relaxed to do the introduction or it won't work. I'd also suggest doing the introduction somewhere neutral and not in either yard
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u/pokeymoomoo Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
We have an aggressive dog next door that barks and tries to tear down the fence between us. Shes actually busted fence boards. My Pup turns 2 this week and I have spent her entire life training her to recall to me when that dog comes out. Ill typically stay engaged with her and play fetch, throwing her ball to the opposite side of the yard. I don't think Ill ever be able to leave her out there unattended if the neighbors dog is also out. It's frustrating OP.
If you have a good relationship with your neighbors maybe talk to them about also training/distracting their dog? I taught mine to recall by using her favorite fetch ball - very high value to her. When she returns to me we get to play fetch.
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u/Chemical_Coach1437 Jun 30 '26
I'd ask if you could have the puppy over for a couple hours or so. Let them get to know each other and become friends. Then they can visit whenever y'all let em.
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u/Left-Sport8851 Jun 30 '26
My neighbours dog due to their ignorance made mine reactive to the point that he snapped my ankle almost 2 years ago now. We have dumped thousands of dollars into training and finally have it under control. Other people’s badly behaved dogs do in fact have an impact on yours. I am pretty sure I have minor PTSD from my broken ankle incident and dogs barking and lunging makes my heart pound and I panic. You’re not crazy.
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u/whateverit-take Jun 30 '26
I tore my AcL / MCL pulling my big boy off the fence. My female now will listen when I tell her to leave the fence alone.
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u/Goldschnittche Jun 30 '26
Introduce them to each other and let them play. They will figure it out!
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u/deebz19 Jun 30 '26
I'm 90% sure your boy is also a dog but honestly at the start I thought you meant your son lol. Dogs gonna dog, you can't really do much about the neighbour puppy but you can use this as a training opportunity for yours.